Therapy & Cognitive Load

Let’s talk about our brains for a second.
Because I know I’m not the only OT who finishes the day and thinks:

“Why can I write a 15-page report but can’t remember what day the bins go out?”

Here’s the thing: we’re living in cognitive overload too.
Client complexities. Shifting funding rules. Admin mountains. Emotional weight. And somehow we’re expected to stay sharp, reflective, and creative?

That’s a big ask for a tired brain.

Functional cognition isn’t just something we support in clients—it’s something we have to protect in ourselves.

When we’re overloaded, we miss things. We default to generic strategies. We second-guess our clinical reasoning.
And that’s when doubt creeps in.

So let this be your reminder: the work you’re doing is complex. If your brain feels fried, it’s not weakness. It’s a flag.

If you want to better understand cognitive load (in clients and yourself), maybe we should book in a 1:1 consult.

Let’s protect our own cognitive energy while we advocate for our clients.

You’re doing great.

– Imogen